Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen Europa League 2023-24 Final Highlights | Ademola Lookman's historic hat-trick takes Atalanta into history books
Ademola Lookman scored a historic hat-trick to help Atalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen by 3-0 in the UEFA Europa League final in Dublin to win their first-ever Europa League.
Atalanta B.C defeated Bayer Leverkusen by 3-0 in the UEFA Europa League 2023-24 final to clinch their first-ever Europa League title. This is their first major trophy since 1963 as Ademola Lookman became the first-ever player to score a hat-trick in UEFA Europa League final.
This means it is now an end to Xabi Alonso's 51-match unbeaten run in the 2023-24 season. Moreover, their dream of a European Treble is now over as well.
With this Europa League title, Gian Piero Gasperini has become the ninth different Italian coach to have won the UEFA Cup or Europa League. Moreover, at 66 years and 117 days, he's also the oldest winning coach of all in the Europa League era, beating Josรฉ Luis Mendilibar (who was 62 years and 78 days old when he won the tournament with Sevilla last season).
Read the highlights of Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen Europa League 2023-24 Final match from our LIVE Blog below.
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LIVE Updates
May 22, 2024, 9:30 PM
"We're not interested in the unbeaten record"
"Honestly, we're not interested in the unbeaten record. We didn't care about that from the start. It's about the game and unfortunately we lost a final today. That's football. We said yesterday that it would be a difficult game. Compliments to Atalanta."
May 22, 2024, 9:28 PM
"We wrote history"
"I think we wrote history, also for the way we won it. It was just extraordinary, we defeated Liverpool, Sporting who won the championship. When we faced Liverpool they were first in the Premier League... And now the German champions. Incredible The boys were extraordinary, a memorable performance."
May 22, 2024, 9:22 PM
May 22, 2024, 9:14 PM
A legend!
Gian Piero Gasperini guides Atalanta to their first major honour in 61 years.
โ UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024, 9:07 PM
No guesses on who is the player of the final
May 22, 2024, 8:54 PM
Full time | Atalanta win the Europa League for the first time
Atalanta win the Europa League for the first time in their history. Bayer Leverkusen's treble dream is OVER. They lose a football match after 51 games.
This is Atalanta's second major trophy and they are now the first Italian team to win the Europa League in the 21st century. Gian Piero Gasperini becomes the oldest coach to win the UEFA Europa League.
May 22, 2024, 8:51 PM
92' | Nearly for Hlozek
A long-range shot from Hlozek and it misses the target narrowly.
โ UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024, 8:42 PM
Double change for Atalanta
Hateboer and Toure come in for Zappacosta and Scamacca.
May 22, 2024, 8:39 PM
81' | Double change from Leverkusen
Schick and Tella come in for Wirtz and Frimpong.
May 22, 2024, 8:38 PM
Question
Would Lookman have started this game if captain De Roon was not injured? Probably not, as Koopmeiners would have played up front instead. The beauty of football
May 22, 2024, 8:36 PM
76' | LOOOOOOKKKKMMMAANNNNN | ATA 3-0 LEV
What a strike from who? Adamole Lookman and it is a historic hat-trick for the Nigerian. This is the first-ever hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final. He receives the ball from Scamacca on the left and after a neat first touch takes the ball on his left foot and goes past Tapsoba for the glory. It's nearly the end of Alonso's dream run.
May 22, 2024, 8:32 PM
73' | Yellow card
Yellow card for Andrich.
May 22, 2024, 8:31 PM
The physical battle
May 22, 2024, 8:28 PM
69' | Yellow card
Yellow card for Koopmeiners for a foul on Wirtz.
May 22, 2024, 8:27 PM
68' | Double change for Leverkusen
Palacios is replaced by Robert Andrich. Grimaldo is replaced by Adam Hlozek.
โ UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024, 8:22 PM
64' | Brave from Muso
Another brave save from Muso. He comes running and gets the ball before it gets to Grimaldo.
May 22, 2024, 8:21 PM
A comeback in making?
๐ก 2-2 vs. Qarabag ๐ข 3-2 vs. Qarabag ๐ก 2-2 vs. Stuttgart ๐ก 2-2 vs. Roma
Bayer Leverkusen have come from two goals down to avoid defeat four times this season, with three of those games taking place in the Europa League.#UELFinal
โ The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024, 8:18 PM
60' | Yellow card
Yellow card for Zappacosta for a foul on Adli.
May 22, 2024, 8:18 PM
59' | Chance for Bayer
Chance for Leverkusen. A cross from Adli and Muso partially saved the ball but it fell onto the feet of Jeremie Frimpong, whose volley went off-target.
May 22, 2024, 8:16 PM
57' | Change for Atalanta
Here comes the formation change for Atalanta. Mario Pasalic comes in for Charles De Ketelaere.
May 22, 2024, 8:13 PM
Who will score for Bayer?
May 22, 2024, 8:09 PM
49' | Clearance from Jeremie Frimpong
Important clearance from Jeremie Frimpong blocks a cross from the left towards Gianluca Scamacca
May 22, 2024, 8:03 PM
46' | Change for Atalanta
Sead Kolaลกinac while coming to the ground back from the dressing room has pulled his thigh muscle and is replaced by young Scalvini.
May 22, 2024, 7:49 PM
Half-time | ATA 2-0 LEV
It was a dreamy first half for Atalanta and Adamole Lookman. They lead by 2-0 in the first half and surely, Xabi Alonso would have some changes to make in the second half; at least in terms of tactics.
May 22, 2024, 7:47 PM
45' | 2 minutes added
2 minutes added to the first half.
May 22, 2024, 7:45 PM
More on Lookman
Ademola Lookman has scored more goals in the #UELFinal (2) than he managed in three seasons of Premier League football with Everton (1) ๐คฏ pic.twitter.com/rljEJYxpsa
โ Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024, 7:44 PM
43' | Save by Kovar
A left-footed attempt by De Ketelaere from just outside the box is saved by Kovar.
โ UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024, 7:38 PM
37' | Chance for Wirtz
Leverkusen are now looking switched on with two back-to-back entries into the final third. However, Wirtz's attempt is saved by Muso inside the box.
May 22, 2024, 7:37 PM
35' | Yellow cards
Wirtz and Scamacca receive yellow cards for a tussle between them.
May 22, 2024, 7:36 PM
35' | Miss from Alejandro Grimaldo
Huge miss from Alejandro Grimaldo as he had the chance to just lift the ball over Muso. However, the goalie was again brave enough to come out and save the ball.
โ UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024, 7:28 PM
26' | WHAT A GOAL | ATA 2-0 LEV
Oh man, oh man! What a goal! It is Ademola Lookman again with the goal. He receives the ball on the left and dribbles past two defenders before shooting the ball to the far post low corner with his right foot. Just stunning. Atalanta lead by 2-0.
โ Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024, 7:14 PM
13' | Goal for Atalanta | ATA 1-0 LEV
Brilliant start for Atalanta. It is Ademola Lookman who puts the Italian side up front. Zappacosta with the cross after a corner from the goal scorer. Lookman was able to get the better off Palacios to receive the ball and shoot from close range. Huge goal for Atalanta.
May 22, 2024, 7:13 PM
11' | Atalanta looking for goal
The Italian team looking more positive and pressing really high with Matteo Ruggeri sending the crosses from left.
Muso with an early save for Atalanta as an areal ball towards Writz from the outside box. Muso was confident enough to come running and punch the ball away with a dive.
May 22, 2024, 7:06 PM
Can Atalanta be the first Italian team of this century to win UEL?
May 22, 2024, 7:01 PM
Kick-off
The 53rd Europa League final starts with Atalanta's first touch on the ball.
May 22, 2024, 6:58 PM
The anthem is done
The anthem is done and we are very close to kickoff.
Gian Piero Gasperini in the pre-match press conference
"I think we are in the best possible condition in a psychological and physical sense. Leverkusen are a complete team, extremely organized. They are versatile, they can defend and recover the ball well. The results they have achieved this season are not an accident. We have to respect them and try to adapt quickly to the opponents we are facing."
โ UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 20, 2024
May 22, 2024, 5:37 PM
"We will respect Atalanta but we have confidence in our game..:" Xabi Alonso in the pre-match press conference
"Our focus is preparing the game, not [as] a special game. We havenโt changed anything. We have played 51 games. The players have understanding. Now is the time to give our best. We have been preparing for this moment throughout the whole year. Itโs not just today's job. I have a great team. The players are ready for sure. I have a good feeling it will not be different. We will respect Atalanta but we have confidence in our game."
May 22, 2024, 5:28 PM
Team News
Atalanta are without Marten De Roon and Emil Holm due to injury, while Rafael Toloi and former Arsenal man Sead Kolasinac are fitness doubt.
Leverkusen have a fully-fit squad for the trip to Dublin. Josip Stanisic, Piero Hincapie, Florian Wirtz, and Grant Xhaka are likely to return to the XI after being given rest against Augsburg.
โ UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024, 4:48 PM
How to watch the match?
Football fans in India can watch the match on Sony Network channels in India. Moreover, they can watch the match on Jio TV, the Sony LIV app, and the website.
May 22, 2024, 4:47 PM
Match Details
Match:Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen UEFA Europa League 2023-24 Final
After Luis Enrique became only the sixth football manager to win the Champions League with different clubs, we present you with some interesting football facts about managers with the most UCL titles in their careers.
In Europe, the Champions League is seen as the most demanding title among players, managers, and clubs from all over Europe. The Giant clubs compete for this specific trophy every year, with the prestige and financial rewards received from the tournament being among the biggest in club football.
Achieving success in this competition is usually seen by most players and managers as the benchmark of club-level achievement in Europe. For many managers, winning the Champions League is the ultimate goal.
Some managers, however, have managed to win the competition multiple times, some with multiple teams as well. Without further due, here are the interesting football facts of the five managers with the most Champions League titles.
Many regard Pep Guardiola as the greatest manager of his generation due to his success with all the clubs he has managed. The Spanish manager has won the competition thrice in his managerial career, two times with FC Barcelona and once with Manchester City.
Guardiola won his first Champions League title in his first season in charge of Barcelona, with his side defeating Manchester United 2-0 in 2008-09 as part of their first-ever treble. The former Barcelona midfielder was 38 years old at the time, making him the youngest manager to win the competition to date.
He won his second title two years later in the 2010-11 season, defeating the same opponent 3-1 in the final. Lionel Messi was the star of both triumphs, scoring both times.
Then he managed Bayern but wasn't able to bring any Champions League titles to the German Club. Finally, his 12-year wait came to an end when Manchester City defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the Final of the UCL 2022-23 season.
Zinedine Zidane led Real Madrid in its most dominant period of the 21st century. The Frenchman won three titles with Los Blancos in three years in charge of the club.
Zidane won his first title just four months after he replaced Rafael Benitez as manager of Real Madrid. He led the side to defeat Atletico Madrid on penalties in the 2015-16 final.
The next season, Real Madrid defeated Juventus 4-1 in the final for their 12th crown.
Zidane led Real Madrid to a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the 2017-18 final. The Frenchman is the only manager in history to win the competition three consecutive times. He is also the first and only French manager to win the competition to date.
Bob Paisley | 3 European Cups
Bob Paisley was a Liverpool soccer player, manager, and administrator for almost 50 years.
No football manager demonstrated the art of leading quietly and without ego more than Bob Paisley. He won twenty trophies in nine years for Liverpool Football Club between 1974 and 1983.
He brought 3 European Cups, six League Championships (including three in a row in 1981, 1982, and 1983), three League Cups, 6 Charity Shields, one UEFA Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.
Paisley is the only British manager to win the European Cup three times. Bob is now regarded as one of the best soccer managers of all time.
Carlo Ancelotti | 5 Champions League titles
Carlo Ancelotti is one of football's managerial greats of the 21st century. The Italian manager has won five Champions League titles in his time as a manager, having also won the competition twice as a player.
Ancelotti won his first Champions League title in the 2002-03 season with AC Milan as his side defeated Juventus on penalties in the final. He won his second title in the 2006-07 season as AC Milan defeated Liverpool 2-1.
Ancelotti won his third title with Real Madrid in the 2013-14 season after his side defeated Atlรฉtico Madrid 4-1. His fourth title came in the 2021-22 season with Real Madrid once again after a 1-0 victory over Liverpool.
AFC and CONCACAF Chiefs express concerns over 64-team World Cup expansion
AFC president, Shaikh Salman, and Concacaf president, Victor Montagliani, have raised their voices against the proposal of expansion to a 64-team World Cup.
The controversy over the potential increase in the 2030 FIFA World Cup roster to 64 teams has gained momentum, with key football officials coming out to oppose it. The Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have joined forces against this controversial suggestion.
Should the 2030 World Cup be expanded to 64 teamsโ๐ ๐
Alejandro Dominguez, president of CONMEBOL, is proposing a one-time expansion of the 2030 Men's World Cup to 64 teams to mark the tournamentโs 100th anniversary.
Concacaf chief Victor Montagliani has joined the increasing call to oppose the plan to increase the World Cup teams to 64, claiming increasing the number of teams "would not be the right move".
AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa also warned against the expansion to 64 teams and the โchaosโ it could lead to, telling Agence France Press (AFP), โPersonally, I donโt agree."
AFC and CONCACAF Presidents show concerns over expansion
Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez. (Image Source | X)
In March's FIFA Council, Uruguayan football chief Ignacio Alonso proposed expansion of the 2030 World Cup. FIFA later announced that it would study the proposal.
Since then, Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez has been the frontrunning campaigner for an expansion to 64 teams. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been silent on the idea, but according to sources close to FIFA, he favours the plan and came up with it in the first place.
๐จ An official proposal to expand the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams has been put forward by the South American Football Confederation. ๐๐
โ Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) April 11, 2025
Conmebol have often been his path to market for alterations that he desires โ the most stunning of these recently having been for a biennial World Cup cycle.
Last week, Dominguez supported a tournament extension from 48 teams to 64 teams in the 2030 World Cup as a once-off for the centenary celebrations for the global finals. Dominguez said:
We are convinced that the celebration of the centenary will be something unique, because it has only once been 100 years old. And for this reason, we are proposing, for one, to carry out this anniversary with 64 teams, across three simultaneous continents. So that all countries have the opportunity to live a world experience, and so that no one is left out of this party even if it is played everywhere, it is our party.
Victor Montagliani, Concacaf President. (Image Source | X)
With Victor Montagliani joining the mounting anti-64-team World Cup campaign, he is joined by fellow FIFA vice presidents Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa (AFC president) and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
Following Infantino, they are the next three strongest political officials in the world governing body. Montagliani told ESPN:
At Concacaf, weโve shown that we are open to change by supporting the Womenโs World Cup expansion and the continuous evolution of our Confederationโs menโs and womenโs national team and club events,โ
I donโt believe expanding the menโs World Cup to 64 teams is the right move for the tournament itself and the broader football ecosystem, from national teams to club competitions, leagues, and players.
AFC president Sheikh Salman and FIFA president Gianni Infantino in 2022. (Image Source | X)
Yesterday, AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa cautioned against expansion to 64 teams and the 'chaos' it might bring, telling Agence France-Presse: "Personally, I don't agree." He further stated:
If the question is open to amendment, then the door will not only be open to increasing the tournament to 64 teams,"
But somebody will come along and insist on increasing the amount to 132 teams. Where would we get to then? It would be chaos.
Even the president of UEFA, Aleksander Ceferin, who also serves as FIFA vice president, joined the chorus of criticism. He stated:
It is not a good idea for the World Cup itself, and it's not a good idea for our qualifiers as well,"
I don't know where it came from, but it's odd that we didn't know anything prior to this proposal at the FIFA Council."
Excitement is rising for the first-ever 48-team World Cup to be staged in 2026 by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
This event is a huge rise from the traditional 32-team setup, and any further expansion to 64 would double matches to a mind-boggling 128. Contrary to this, the forthcoming 2026 event will host 104 matches to be staged in 16 host cities.
The logistical issues for the 2030 World Cup are already significant, with its games spread across three continents. Its initial host nations are Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, but Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina will be hosting the milestone opening games, marking a century since the tournament's first edition was held in Uruguay.
FIFA has yet to comment publicly on the feasibility of this proposal, although they did confirm their duty to consider it.
The proposal is expected to be a subject of debate at FIFA's upcoming 75th Congress, which takes place annually on May 15 in Paraguay's capital, Asunciรณn, which houses the headquarters of Conmebol. The congress agenda is yet to be published, but the plan for a 64-team World Cup will supposedly receive intense local lobbying in the backrooms and corridors of FIFA.
Title Race in Top Five European Leagues: What are the equations?
What are the equations in the title race for the top five European leagues? How many points do the leaders need to secure the title? Sportz Point explores this scenario.
European football has gifted us numerous memorable moments and matches this season, and we can expect more to come in the upcoming months.
The top five European Leagues โ Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1 have different title chase scenarios as the leagues are entering the final lap, leading the clubs to their fate in the 2024-25 season.
England, Germany, and France have witnessed a one-sided battle for the league title this season, except for Spain and Italy, where the champions might be decided even in the closing matchday this season.
In this article, we will examine the league table scenarios, possible equations for the league leaders to secure the title, and the contention for the continental competitions such as UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for next season.
Premier League
(Image Source | Givemesport)
Liverpool are currently atop the Premier League 2024-25 table, having bagged 73 points in 30 matches. The Reds are edging closer to the title as Arsenal, the second-placed side, dropped points against Everton in a 1-1 stalemate yesterday.
Liverpool have a chance to extend their lead at the top with a win against Fulham this evening, which will see them going 14 points ahead of the Gunners.
The Mikel Arteta-led side has earned 62 points in 31 games so far. As of now, Liverpool only need 11 points from their last eight games to secure the Premier League title for the 20th time in their history.
Liverpool are just four wins away from being crowned Premier League champions.
If it plays out like that, they could win the title at Anfield vs. Spurs then receive guard of honours from both Chelsea and Arsenal ๐คฏ pic.twitter.com/MVDmpDzRhi
Nottingham Forest have been a surprise entrant for a top-four finish in the Premier League, charging for a UEFA Champions League berth next season. The Forest are now third with 57 points in 31 games โ five points clear of the fourth-placed Chelsea.
Fifth-placed Manchester City (51 points in 30 games) and Aston Villa (51 points in 31 games), now sixth, will throw a tough challenge for the Champions League and Europa League berth, whereas seventh-placed Newcastle United (50 points in 29 games) might surpass City and Villa in the race.
Barcelona are currently atop the table with 67 points in 30 matches, four points clear of Real Madrid with 63 points in the same number of games. The title race might go down to the last matchday as these two teams will meet in the fierce El Clasico, scheduled for May 11th, which could decide the potential champions.
Despite failing to take full advantage of Real Madridโs slip-up, Barcelona remain ๐๐๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ to win the LALIGA title - according to @OptaAnalyst ๐๐ pic.twitter.com/uUQ5lu6uir
Fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao (53 points in 29 games) are already five points ahead of Real Betis, now fifth (48 points in 30 games) with one game in hand. Sixth-placed Villareal (47 points in 28 games) could pose a challenge for both of them for UCL and UEL qualification, with two games in hand to match Betis' tally.
LaLiga 2024-25 Table
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Barcelona
30
21
4
5
83
29
54
67
2
Real Madrid
30
19
6
5
63
31
32
63
3
Atlรฉtico Madrid
29
16
9
4
47
23
24
57
4
Athletic Club
29
14
11
4
46
24
22
53
5
Real Betis
30
13
9
8
41
37
4
48
6
Villarreal
28
13
8
7
51
39
12
47
7
Celta Vigo
30
12
7
11
44
43
1
43
8
Rayo Vallecano
30
10
10
10
33
35
-2
40
9
Mallorca
30
11
7
12
29
37
-8
40
10
Real Sociedad
29
11
5
13
27
31
-4
38
11
Sevilla
29
9
9
11
33
39
-6
36
12
Getafe
29
9
9
11
26
25
1
36
13
Girona
30
9
7
14
37
46
-9
34
14
Osasuna
29
7
13
9
33
42
-9
34
15
Valencia
30
8
10
12
34
47
-13
34
16
Espanyol
29
8
8
13
31
40
-9
32
17
Alavรฉs
30
7
9
14
33
44
-11
30
18
Leganes
29
6
9
14
28
46
-18
27
19
Las Palmas
29
6
8
15
33
48
-15
26
20
Valladolid
29
4
4
21
19
65
-46
16
Serie A
(Image Source | X)
Serie A 2024-25 might witness one of the greatest showdowns in the title charge in the league's history, as league leaders Inter Milan dropped points in a 2-2 draw against Parma last night.
Defending champions Inter Milan are currently topping the table with 68 points across 31 games, having played one game more than second-placed Napoli, who have accumulated 64 points in 30 games. If Napoli ends this week with a win, the gap between these two teams will be just one, leading the teams to walk the wire in the final matchdays.
๐จ After Interโs draw vs Parma today, the Serie A title race is wide open!
Napoli and Inter are neck and neck โ and with only a few games left, neither side can afford to drop points.
The pressure to finish in the top four have also intensified in Italy. With Inter and Napoli confirmed to finish in the top four, third-placed Atalanta (58 points in 30 games), fourth-placed Bologna (56 points in 30 games), fifth-placed Juventus (55 points in 30 games), and sixth-placed AS Roma (52 points in 30 games) will battle it out for the last two UCL berths.
Serie A 2024-25 Table
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Inter
31
20
8
3
69
30
39
68
2
Napoli
30
19
7
4
47
24
23
64
3
Atalanta
30
17
7
6
63
29
34
58
4
Bologna
30
15
11
4
50
34
16
56
5
Juventus
30
14
13
3
46
28
18
55
6
Roma
30
15
7
8
45
30
15
52
7
Lazio
30
15
7
8
51
42
9
52
8
Fiorentina
31
15
7
9
49
32
17
52
9
Milan
31
13
9
9
47
37
10
48
10
Udinese
31
11
7
13
36
42
-6
40
11
Torino
30
9
12
9
35
35
0
39
12
Genoa
31
9
11
11
29
38
-9
38
13
Como
31
8
9
14
39
48
-9
33
14
Verona
30
9
3
18
29
58
-29
30
15
Cagliari
30
7
8
15
31
44
-13
29
16
Parma
31
5
12
14
37
51
-14
27
17
Lecce
31
6
8
17
21
49
-28
26
18
Empoli
30
4
11
15
24
47
-23
23
19
Venezia
31
3
12
16
23
43
-20
21
20
Monza
31
2
9
20
25
55
-30
15
Bundesliga
(Image Credit | Getty)
As of now, only six points separate league leaders Bayern Munich and second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, though Bayern might attain the Bundesliga 2024-25 title and a first trophy for Harry Kane โif they manage to accumulate 13 from the 18 points available.
Bayern Munich are now ahead with 68 points in 28 games, whereas reigning Champions Bayer Leverkusen have managed 62 in the same number of matches, practically confirming their participation in next season's Champions League.
Bayern are leading in the Bundesliga title race. (Image Credit | ESPN)
However, the race for two other UCL berths will draw Eintracht Frankfurt (third, 48 points in 28 games), FSV Mainz (fourth, 46 points in 28 games), RB Leipzig (fifth, 45 points in 28 games), and Borussia Monchengladbach (sixth, 43 points in 27 games) into a battle, looking for places in continental competitions.
Bundesliga 2024-25 Table
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Bayern
28
21
5
2
81
27
54
68
2
Leverkusen
28
18
8
2
63
34
29
62
3
Eintracht Frankfurt
28
14
6
8
55
42
13
48
4
Mainz
28
13
7
8
46
32
14
46
5
RB Leipzig
28
12
9
7
44
35
9
45
6
Mรถnchengladbach
27
13
4
10
44
40
4
43
7
SC Freiburg
28
12
6
10
38
44
-6
42
8
Dortmund
28
12
5
11
52
43
9
41
9
VfB Stuttgart
28
11
7
10
51
44
7
40
10
Werder
28
11
6
11
45
53
-8
39
11
Augsburg
28
10
9
9
31
39
-8
39
12
Wolfsburg
27
10
8
9
49
41
8
38
13
Union Berlin
27
8
6
13
25
40
-15
30
14
Hoffenheim
28
6
9
13
34
52
-18
27
15
FC St. Pauli
27
7
4
16
22
33
-11
25
16
Heidenheim
28
6
4
18
32
53
-21
22
17
VfL Bochum
28
5
5
18
28
59
-31
20
18
Holstein Kiel
28
4
6
18
39
68
-29
18
Ligue 1
The redesigned Ligue 1 trophy. (Image Source | X)
Paris Saint-Germain have claimed the 2024-25 Ligue 1 title after beating Angers 1-0 last night, ensuring their fourth successive title with 74 points in 28 games. The Luis Enrique-managed side have been crowned champions with six matches remaining and are now 24 points ahead of the second-placed AS Monaco (50 points in 28 matches).
PSG have clinched another milestone, winning the league title without losing a single game so far, and with six matches remaining, they will look to embrace the 'invincible' tag by ending the season without a single defeat.
PSG have won the 2024-25 Ligue 1. (Image Credit | Getty Images)
If Les Parisiens complete an unbeaten league season, they will join a special group of clubs from Europe's top five leagues that have achieved this feat. This group includes Bayer Leverkusen in 2024, Juventus in 2012, Arsenal in 2004, AC Milan in 1992, Perugia in 1979, and Preston North End in 1889.
However, the race to qualify for next season's UCL will go down to the wire between six teams who are differentiated by only four points โ AS Monaco (50), Olympique de Marseille (49), Olympique Lyonnais (48), OGC Nice (47), Lille OSC (47), and RC Strasbourg (46).
Ligue 1 2024-25 Table
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
PSG
28
23
5
0
80
26
54
74
2
Monaco
28
15
5
8
54
35
19
50
3
Marseille
27
15
4
8
54
36
18
49
4
Lyon
28
14
6
8
54
38
16
48
5
Nice
28
13
8
7
52
35
17
47
6
LOSC
28
13
8
7
42
30
12
47
7
Strasbourg
27
13
7
7
45
35
10
46
8
Brest
28
13
4
11
44
43
1
43
9
Lens
27
11
6
10
31
30
1
39
10
Auxerre
27
9
8
10
38
39
-1
35
11
Toulouse
27
9
7
11
35
33
2
34
12
Rennes
27
10
2
15
38
37
1
32
13
Nantes
28
7
9
12
33
47
-14
30
14
Angers
28
7
6
15
26
46
-20
27
15
Reims
27
6
8
13
29
41
-12
26
16
Le Havre
27
7
3
17
29
57
-28
24
17
St-รtienne
27
6
5
16
28
63
-35
23
18
Montpellier
27
4
3
20
21
62
-41
15
(*all stats are accurate as of the time of publishing this article.)
Real Madrid is considering Jurgen Klopp as a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti
Real Madrid is reportedly eyeing Jurgen Klopp as a potential replacement for Carlo Ancelotti, sparking gambling about a managerial shake-up at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
Jurgen Klopp is currently working as a leader of global soccer for the Red Bull group, Klopp stated that he would not manage another English club and might be he will not be interested with management forever. However, he could choose to coach a national team or take a job.
Image Credit: Liverpool Echo
Either of those options might be presented soon to him. According to TRBFootball, Klopp is reportedly one of the options for Brazil's national team head coach after Dorival Junior's dismissal. However, Carlo Ancelotti is also Brazil's top pick, according to different reports, Brazil's national football management has even begun negotiations with him.
According to the reports, Klopp is one of the candidates Real Madrid is working on to replace their manager if Carlo Ancelotti departs. Los Blancos are looking for a manager who has worked with a mix of young players and superstars and the former Liverpool manager most definitely possesses that.
As Real Madrid is one of the biggest clubs in the world, there would undoubtedly be some appeal if Klopp were to return to club management. Xabi Alonso, a former Real Madrid and Liverpool player is reportedly Los Blancos' preferred candidate.
UEFA reportedly starts to develop blueprints for Russia's return in football
According to reports, UEFA has reportedly started the groundwork to initiate Russia's return to club and international football only if a ceasefire is established in Ukraine.
UEFA has not ruled out the chances of Russia returning to football competitions around the globe if a total ceasefire is agreed upon in Ukraine. This was reported by the renowned British publication 'The Independent', citing its own sources.
The UEFA bans follow the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, sparking universal international criticism, such as FIFA and UEFA's March 2022 ban of Russian teams from every football competition.
However, UEFA has reportedly opened the groundwork to facilitate Russia's return in club and international football, with growing tensions within the members in UEFA.
UEFA may revoke the long-standing ban on Russian teams
Alexander Ceferin and Gianni Infantino. (Image Credit | Getty)
Next week, a UEFA congress will reportedly be held in Belgrade, and insiders say that plans are underway to bring Russian clubs and the national team back into official tournaments.
The publication states that UEFA is already formulating possible measures for restoring Russia's involvement in international football tournaments. It underlines that Russia still has immense power in world football, and there is growing pressure within UEFA on this issue.
The Independent further asserts that the main reason for the suspension of Russian teams by FIFA and UEFA after the beginning of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine was not so much moral principles as a practical necessity.
Russia's national football team last participated in the EURO 2020. (image Source | X)
Sources suggest that 12 European football associations signaled their willingness to boycott matches against Russian clubs, with the expectation that the figure could be as high as 18. In this case, football authorities would be faced with the decision of excluding a large number of national teams or only one. The suspension of Russia was therefore motivated by "technical" considerations and not political ideology.
The article points out that UEFA and FIFA attempt to avoid suspending nations for political reasons in order to stay away from being involved in the complicated legal scenario of every international conflict.
๐จ FIFA president Gianni Infantino has revealed he would like to see Russia return to play in the World Cup in the future. ๐ท๐บ
๐จ The Ukrainian FA says Russia's return to international football would 'ignore the suffering of thousands'. pic.twitter.com/8f7qLaTxqM
โ Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 1, 2025
Earlier, UEFA President Alexander Ceferin made the point about football being employed as a tool for creating peace. He said he believed that contact between children from different nations could build understanding and destroy enmities.
Meanwhile, Ceferin also spoke of a "ferocious attack by politicians," especially those on the left wing, against the suggestion that young Russian teams should be brought back in club and international football.
Andriy Shevchenko calls on UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin to visit him in Ukraine and to reconsider letting Russia return to international football @SkySportspic.twitter.com/3K1NhuXdes
Back in 2023, UEFA overturned the decision that allowed Russia to return to international competitions, specifically the U-17 age group. Ukraine, England, Poland, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Denmark threatened to withdraw if such a thing happens, AP reported.
๐จ UEFA has spoken out in favour of Russia returning to European competitions at youth level! ๐๐ท๐บ
โUEFA no longer wants children to be punished for actions for which adults are solely responsible.โ
The Independent reports that the suspension of Russia will continue to remain in effect until a complete ceasefire is reached in Ukraine.
Nevertheless, top officials at UEFA are already preparing a plan for bringing back Russian teams in the case of peace, when sport can once again be "center stage." A halt of aggression by Russia would, therefore be followed by a said normalization in the world of sport.